Slasher



Jan. 3, 1939. E. K. WHITENER ET AL I 2,142,544

SLASHER Filed April 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 INVEN T0R8-' i'lrnesi it Whzienerlz BY .Tlwmws,

A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 3, 1939- E. K, WHITENER ET AL.

SLASHER Filed April 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 aw Mmw s W m wm w m w Hm A 1 0 %m r Jan. 3, 1939. E. K. WHITENER ET AL 2,

SLASHER Filed April 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Hazy. 0M

INVENTORS: Ernest if. l mziener 23 By Thomas flfi'uyys,

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 3, 1939 2,142,544

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sLASHEB Ernest K. Whitener and Thomas I. Sun's, Galtonia, N. 0., assignors to Cooker Machine and Foundry Company, Gastonla, N. 0., a corporation of North Carolina Application April 19, 1938, Serial No. 202,993

12 Claims. (CL 28-28) This invention relates to slashers, and, more beyond which the slashers cannot be safely operparticularly to the drives therefor. Slashers as ated without danger of frequent warp breakage. previously employed for sizing cotton yarns at Hence a limit is set, upon the amount of yarn low speeds, and subsequently also used for similar which can be processed during each run of the treatment of synthetic yarns, were not designed, slasher, with corresponding curtailment in pro- 5 built or expected to meet the difficulties enduction. Another disadvantage due to unevencountered in using the same for sizing synthetic ness of tension is that the beams, under the least yarns at either low or high operating speeds. restraint, run out faster than the others, with The principal reason for this trouble was reresultant wastage of the unused warps on the IQ sultant upon the difference in condition of cotton partially exhausted beams. and synthetic yarns while wet with sizing solu- An important object of this invention is to tion, namely the wet cotton yarns retain pracovercome the above noted disadvantages by protically the same tensile strength, whereas wet vidinganovelautomatically-controlled two speed synthetic yarns become soft and are easily drive, preferably for rayon slashers, also valuable stretched or damaged when subjected to any in the operation of cotton yarn slashers, where- 15 undue strains or jerking movement while in such by the transition acceleration, from an average condition. Provision also had to be made for low-speed yarn travel of two yards per minute preventing over-run of the slasher section to the average twenty to sixty yards operating beams, that caused yarn tangling, when necessary speed, is made uniformly gradual and vice versa,

to stop the slasher for any reason. At low operwhile the jerking action imposed on the yarns 0 ating speeds, only a small amount 01 braking acby conventional drives is prevented. tion against turning of the beams was necessary, Another object is to provide slashers of the but for higher speeds the amount of braking indicated type with means whereby, when stopaction had to be proportionately increased which, ping the slasher while operating at its maximum when handling synthetic yarns in the wet and speed, the yarn travel speed is automatically, 25

consequentially weakened condition entailed gradually, and uniformly, brought from its maxistretching thereof and incidental damage to said mum operating speed to a dead stop without any latter species of yarn. over-run of the section beams whatsoever or the Furthermore, driving of the loom beam on slow necessity for applying any increased amount of speed slashers has usually been effected by means braking action. 30

of felt-covered slip friction plates with associated A further object of this invention is the prowelght and lever adjustments, which have proven vision of compensative means, whereby the speed in practice inefiicient. The increasing speed at of the friction plates, working against each other, which these friction plates worked against each is automatically kept uniform throughout the other in building from an empty to a full beam building of the loom beam, and thereby resulting 35 generated excessive heat, and wound the beams in a better weaving beam of more uniform yarn with varied degrees of yarn tension and beam tension and beam density, than is obtainable by density. With known friction means it is pracconventional loom beam drives for slow speed tically impossible to secure a uniform tension in slashers.

the warps initially, or-to maintain a definite even A still further object is to electrically-control tension throughout the sizing operation, since, on t two-speed m drive by provision of approthe one hand, the belts relied upon t Produce priate switch stations at both sides of each cylinthe restraining effect cannot be adJusted with der unit, whereby individual starting, stopping absolute accuracy, and since, on the other hand, and varying the operating speed of the slasher the gradual decrease in the diameter of the beams can be positively efiectetL and weight the yam the sizing With the above recited general objects in view proceeds is attended by a corresponding increase d th f t mum hat ter tmsm t1 in the pull on the warps. These differences in an 9 erso 0 ac ven on consists in certain novel and peculiar features of tension manifest themselves in the fabric subequenfl woven fr m the processed warps, caus construction, and the organization of cooperative 50 ing unevenness in texture and variations in parts, as hereinafter disclosed and claimedweight. Moreover, since with slasher creels of In order a t same ma be ar y und rthe usual construction, the tension imposed on stood, reference is to be had to the accompanythe warps is dependent upon the size and weight ins drawings illustrating a practical embodiment of the supply beams, a definite speed limit,is set of the invention, and wherein like characters of u reference are applied to corresponding parts in the respective illustrations.

Fig. I is a plan view of the'head-end of a slasher including the automatically-controlled two-speed operating and compensating friction drives of this invention.

Fig. 11 is a somewhat larger scale plan view of the compensating loom beam friction drive, apart from the head-and of the slasher.

FigaIII is a vertical section on the line m-m in Fig. I, but drawn to increased scale for the purpose of clearness; and,

Fig. IV is a wiring diagram showing how the two-speed operating drive ,of this invention is electrically controlled. v

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. I, the head-end of a multiple-cylinder high-speed rayon slasher is comprehensively designated by the numeral I; the same comprising side frames 2, secured together in spaced relation by glrts 3 and crossties l. The cross-ties 4 ail'ord rigid support for the slasher main drive motor 5, in turn operatively coordinating a succession of variable-speed devices 6, I and 3, through the medium of a multiple-belt 3 and chain drives III, III to the shaft II for operating the calender roll I2 by tooth gears I3, I4, in an obvious m nner.

A two-speed reversing motor I5, by means of a chain drive I6 to a shaft I! having thereon a gear It, in mesh with a gear I9 on the adjusting-screw 20 of the variable-speed transmission 3, serves to operate the latter in accordance with known practice; while a sprocket-andchain drive 2| from the screw 20 coordinates the adluster screw 22 of the variable-speed device I, for simultaneous operation. A belt or sprocketand-chain drive 23 operatively connects the shaft II with the variable-speed device 8 for regulating the yarn tension between the drying cylinder (not shown) and the leading calender roll I2; while it is to be noted the variable-speed devices and I are under the control of a mechanically actuated limit-switch 24.

The collecting beam 25 is provided at one end with a conventional friction drive device 26, associated differential 21, and an operatively coordinated variable-speed device 28. It is to be particularly observed that one of the differential power shafts 29 is, preferably. driven by a sprocket-and-chain drive 33 from the friction device constant drive member 3|, through the medium of a clutch 32, and chain drive 3|. The other power shaft 33 of the differential 21 is operated -from the slip side of the friction device 26 by a sprocket-and-chain drive 34; and it will be-obvious that the amount of slip of said device is determined by the ratio between the sprocket 3i and sprocket 36. The sprockets 35 and 36 driving the differential sprockets 31, 38 in the same direction will cause the differential shaft 33 to remain stationary.

When thread or yarn 1! commences to build-up on the collecting beam 25, the friction device 23 automatically changes the ratio between the sprockets 3i and 36, and, consequently, the speed of the differential sprockets 31 and 38, thus start- Ing the shaft 33 to rotate in a clockwise direction. As a result, the rotation of the shaft 38 .is communicated by a sprocket ll, and chain drive II, to the sprocket 42 on the adjuster-screw 43 of the variable-speed device 23, whereby said screw is rotated in a like direction, thus altering the speed of the variable shaft 34 of the device 28. From the shaft 43, the change of speed is transmitted by a sprocket 45 and chain drive It, to the sprocket 41 of the friction drive device 28, whereby the speed of.the collecting beam 25 is automatically varied as the yarn 1/ builds up thereon.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. II and III, it will be readily seen that as the collecting beam 25 becomes filled with yarn 1 the variable shaft 44 will be at its lowest speed. whereupon it is necessary to re-set said variableshaft to its highest speed, when an empty collecting beam 25 is inserted and started. This requirement is preferably accomplished by the means now to be described. The bearing 43 for the shaft 49 of the clutch 32 is provided, at one side, with a rigid half-clutch 50 for holding the sprocket of the chain drive 30 stationary; which, consequently, arrests the chain drive 33 and the sprocket 31, and, thereby, causes the differential shaft 39 to revolve in an anti-clockwise direction. This anti-clockwise rotation of the shaft 33 will, by means of the sprocket 40, chain 4|, and sprocket 42, revolve the variable-speed adjuster-screw 43 in a like direction, and cause the variable-speed shaft 44 to be accelerated to its maximum high speed. Rotary motion is imparted to the variable-speed device 28 by means of a sprocket 52 on the shaft I I, with a chain 53 trained about a sprocket 54 on the transmission device power-shaft 55. The sprocket-andchain drive, between the differential shaft 39 and the power-shaft 29 of the differential 21, is designated 56; while 51 indicates the friction control for the sprocket 40.

In order that the variable-speed friction-device 26 and the associated mechanisms may be electrically-operated and controlled, there is provided appropriate switch stations at both sides of the head-end unit I, as well as along corresponding locations of the successive cylinder units I, Fig. IV; it being readily understood that while only one such additional unit I has been indicated, and, for convenience, the one mostremote from the head-end unit I, intervening 'others will be included in the slasher. Each of the switch stations, above referred to, includes starting, "stopping, fast, and slow, switches or push buttons 58, 59, ill and GI, respectively.

Assuming that the reference numeral 62 designates the connecting and disconnecting knifeswitch of 550-v., feed lines 63, 64 and 85, for example, for serving the main drive motor 5; and that 66 indicates a single-pole fused safety switch or cut-out in the feed lines 81, 68, controlling a 110-v., 6O cycle, single-phase magneticswitch comprehensively designated 69, said cutout 66 being included in the system as a safetyfactor. Now it will be apparent that upon closing the safety cut-out 68 and current connecting knife-switch 82, the operating circuit for the slasher still remains open, and said slasher will remain at rest until one of the several starting buttons 53 is pushed-in, as indicated in dottedlines at the right-hand of Fig. 1V, whereupon electric current will flow through the l-v.

feed line 61, closed safety cut-o'ut 66, service coil I4 for closure of the multiple-aimed hold 75 ing-in or solenoid switch 15, which completes fiow'of current through the lines 63', 64'. and 65', to, and sets the main drive motor into operation. After the motor 5 is set in operation, and the pushed-in starting button 58 released, flow of current through the coil 14 will be maintained by the now closed holding-in solenoid switch through the medium of the feed line 61', cut-out 66, service lines 19, interposed closed stop buttons '59, and splice 19', to the contact 16 and opposing contact '16, branch 13', and splice 13", coil '14, line 14', and splice 14", to the line 69.

After the slasher is set in operation as just described, if it is desired to accelerate the same to its maximum operative speed, one of the fast" buttons 69, as indicated by dotted-lines at the right-hand of 'Fig. IV, is pushed-in to set in operation the two-speed reversing-motor l5, by excitation of a reversing magnetic-switch 11. actuated through the medium of 110-v., 60 cycle.

single-phase multiple-armed solenoids 18, 19'

The coil 89 of the reversnig switch 11 is energized by current flow from the feed line 61,

: cut-out 66, service-lines 19, splices 19, and interposed stop buttons 59, to contacts 16, 16, of closed holding-in switch 69, through branch 13', line 13, coil 14, line 14', to feed line 68. At the same time, current flows from splice 13", line 13 to splice 12', through line 12, across the contacts 8|, 82 of the pushed-in fast button 69, line 83, to splice 83, of line 84, coil 89, lines 89, 14, and to splice 14", of feed line 68. By com pletion of this circuit, the solenoid 18 is attracted into the coil 80, thus completing flow of current from the feed lines 63, 64 and 65 by way of splices 85, 86 and 81, service lines 85, 86', and 81', to the two-speed reversing motor l5, thereby setting the same in motion. Upon release of the pushed-in fast button 69, current is diverted to the coil 89 to keep the solenoid switch 18 closed, so that the motor l5 shall continue in operation, by way of the feed line 61, safety cut-out 66, service lines 19, splices 19 and inter- Y posed stop buttons 59, to the holding-in switch contact 16. From thence the current is, conducted, by the contact 16', branch 13, line 13, coil 14, line 14, splice 14", to the other side of feed line 68, keeping the motor l5 in operation; also from the splice 13 to line 13, splice 12', to lines 88, 89 and outer contact-bridging slow buttons 6|, at the left-and-right sides of Fig. IV, to one side contact 99 of the double-throw mechanically-actuated limit-switch 24, thence to the opposing contact 9|, line 92, and contacts 93, 94 of the closed magnetic solenoid switch 18, line 84, through the coil 89, line 14', splice 14", to the feed line 68.

The double-throw limit-switch 24 is conveniently mounted on one side frame 2 and is mechanically actuated, when the fast or maximum speed has been attained by being tripped through the medium of a finger 95 on the shaft l1, of the variable-speed device 6, Fig. I, thus breaking the 110-v. 60 c. single-phase circuit, and at the same time moving over to the opposing contacts 96, 91 of said switch, Fig. IV, in an obvious manner. With the circuit through the magnetic switch 11 thus interrupted or broken, the solenoid 18 will become de-energized, thus causing the motor [5 to stop with the slasher operating at maximum speed by the motor 5. In order to reduce the slasher speed, the operator pushes in one of the slow buttons 6|, thus closing a 110-v. 60 c. single-phase circuit to the solenoid 19. This circuit is completed by flow of current from the feed line 61', through the cutout 66, service lines 19 and interposed stop switches 59, splices 19', line 19 to cont ct 98 of the closed slow" 'switch 6|, as indi ated in dotted-lines at the right-hand of Fig. IV; and from thence by the opposing contact 99, line I99, splice 199', line IN, and coil I92, thereby attracting the solenoid 19, with return flow to the line 68 by way of the line 14. As a result, current supply circuits are closed, by way of the splices 85, 86 and 91, with associated extensions 85", 86", and 81", to the motor l5, for operation in reverse, or reduction of speed, in accordance with known practice. When the slow" speed for the slasher is attained, it will be readily understood that the last outlined 110-v. 60 c. singlephase circuit will be broken incident to automatic movement of the finger 95. in a reverse direction to that previously set forth, so as to again make contact through the limit switch 24, as explained above in connection with Fig. IV. With the 110-v. 60 c. single phase circuit broken through the solenoid switch 19, the motor l5 will stop and the slasher continue operating at slow speed through the first described circuit from the feed lines 69, 64 and 65.

Now, when one of the stop buttons 59, as indicated in dotted-lines at the right-hand side of Fig. IV, is pushed-in, it will be clearly apparent that each of the previously described circuits, in part all depend upon flow of current via the lines 19 across the stop button contacts I93, I94; hence by pushing-in any one of said buttons 59, flow of current will be interrupted, and the then holding-in or active solenoid switches 15, 18 or' 19, will become de-energized, and the slasher will stop.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the described differential control renders possible resetting of the variable transmissionof the slasher at any time during building up of yarn 3/ on the collecting beam 25, and just as soon as the slasher is thrown back into conventional gearing, such control will automatically bring back the friction 26 to its original speed, with the requisite amount of slip between said friction and the transmission shaft 39.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a slasher including a two-speed drive and a collector beam friction drive; means for gradually and uniformly accelerating or decelerating the two-speed drive from an average-low to an average-high operating-speed for the slasher, or vice versa; and operatively co-ordinated means compensatively controlling the friction drive.

2. In a slasher including a two-speed drive and-a collector beam friction drive; automatically-controlled means, including a mechanically adjustable speed limit control, for gradually and uniformly accelerating or decelerating the twospeed drive from an average-low to an averagehigh operating-speed, or vice versa; and operatively-coordinated means compensatively controlling the friction drive.

3. In a slasher including 'a two-speed drive and a collector beam friction drive; automaticallycontrolled means, including a mechanically adjustable speed limit control, for gradually and uniformly accelerating or decelerating the twospeed drive from an average-low to an averagehigh operating-speed, or vice versa; and operatively-coordinated means including a speed differential for compensatively, controlling the friction drive.-

4. In a slasher including a two speed drive and a collector beam friction drive; automaticallycontrolled means, including a mechanically adjustable speed limit control, for gradually and uniformly accelerating or decelerating the twospeed drive from an average-low to an averagehigh operating-speed, or vice versa; operatively coordinated means including a speed differential for compensatively controlling the friction drive and a system of electric wiring including starting, stopping. and speed varyins. switches whereby operation of the slasher is controlled.

5. In a slasher, the combination with the collecting beam rotary friction drive, of a compensative control, one side of said control being operated from the friction drive and the other side from the slip means of said friction drive; and means whereby re-setting of the compensative control is effected at any time during the building up of yarn on the collecting beam.

6. In a slasher, the combination with the collecting beam rotary friction drive of a compensative control. one side of said control being operated from the friction drive and the other side from the slip means of said friction drive; a driving shaft for the beam; and means whereby the beam, when thrown back, automatically returns the friction drive to itsoriginal speed with the proper amount of slip between said friction drive and the beam driving shaft.

7. In a slasher, the combination with the collecting beam rotary friction drive of a compensative control, one side of said control being operated from the friction drive and the other side from the slip means of said friction drive; a driving shaft for the beam; means whereby the beam, when thrown back, automatically effects return of the friction drive to its original speed with the proper amount of slip between said drive and the beam driving shaft; and means whereby said friction drive is automatically and compensatively controlled.

8. In multiple-cylinder slashers, havingarotary friction drive and an operatively coordinated col- 'lecting beam at the head end, the combination of a compensative control including a variablespeed transmission; means whereby the variableshait of said transmission is re-set when a yarn filled beam is removed and replaced by an empty one electric means for operating the slasher; a mechanically-operated limit switch; and electric switch stations for the respective cylinder sections, whereby operation of the slasher from each individual section and the friction drive are autorotary friction device and an operatively coordinat'ed collecting beam at the head end, the combination of a compensative control including a difierential and a variable-speed transmission; means whereby the variable-shaft of said transmission is re-set when a yarn filled beam is removed and replaced by an empty one; an electric system including a main driving motor and a two-speed reversing motor, switch stations at each side of the respective cylinder sections, whereby operation of the slasher is controllable from each individual station; and an adjustable limit switch operative. when the slasher attains maximum speed, to eflect maintenance of the driving and reversing motors in operation, but when the collecting beam speed is reduced to "slow" to cut out said reversing motor.

10. A multiple-beam slasher as defined in claim 9 wherein the rotary friction device constant drive member is OPQI'EUVGIYrCOOId-IDEM to one power shaft of the differential through the medium of a clutch and suitable drive, means for holding said clutch stationary, an endless drive connects the slip side of the friction device to the other power shaft of the diflerential, and the differential-shaft is operatively coordinated to the adjuster element of the variable-speed transmission, and a suitable drive from said transmission connects with the rotary friction device.

11. A multiple-cylinder slasher as defined in claim 9 wherein the main driving motor and the variable-speed reversing motor are operated from 550-v. feed lines, interposed switches in 1l0-v. feed lines control differential operating circuits through said motors, and a double-throw limit switch cuts out the variable-speed reversing motor when the slasher is reduced to "slow speed" operation.

12. A multiple-cylinder slasher as defined in claim 9 wherein a mechanically-actuated doublethrow limit switch is effective to cut out the variable-speed reversing motor when the slasher is reduced to slow-speed" operation, and the 110-v. feed lines include a fusible safety switch.

ERNEST K. WHITENER. THOMAS F. SUGGB. 

